Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-05-15

ana; OppOrLunely TO AID those VINO
argued for no attack, the storm came up,
rendering 1t almost impossible and damp
ening the esgerness of the over-zealous.
1t was decided to take the back track,
and soon, in close column, to avoid get
ting separated, the whole body wheeled
and rode back toward their mountain
homes.
Wrapped in great blankets, and sup
ported once more in the powerful arms of
Lagons, Stella was borne away with them,
almost insensible in her utter wretched-
ness. Poor girl! it seemed as if death
only could be the ending Of her many
perils and trials.
CHAPTER XIX.
Vastly different did McCullough's ran
gers look upon their return to LIS Bolsa
de Flores from the appearance they ex-
hibited when, full of hope and eagerness,
they had dashed away from tie same
place few days before, on the trail of
the vile abductors of Stella Delorme
They had ridden over many leagues of
ground with scarcely any rest, hardly
taking time to eat food enough to sustain
their strength. Their horses, like them
selves, were nearly worn out, and they
were glad once more to get where their
old favorites, refreshed with long rest,
were again ready for the saddle.
The return to the plantation was pleas
ant to them, but poor Mr.. Delorme and
Paul, coming back as they did without
Stella, were more wretched, even more
miserable, than they had been when they
went away. Everything they saw only
reminded them Of her, and their sad
fsncies painted her fate in the darkest
colcrs.
NFrs naIo-,,o so5 fooo5 ,,o,r-o,,- o,5
Wretched as hemselves-aWaited their
coming, and looked anxions for Stella,
as the long and weary train
filed in through the gate and halt
ed before the house. But if her cheek
was pale at first, it redeemed sufficiently
when her eye fell upon Mslerson, who,
bound with the rest, came up under
guard. His eyes met hers, and with 9
quick glance at his bonds he made sign
as if drawing knife over thep, and gave
her look at once implOring and threat
ening, which she understood bat too
we'll.
"Where shall stow these villains IN
til my men are sufficiently rested to send
them to prison for trial?" asked the
Major of Mr.. Delorme.
81 will have a storehouse cleared out
for their usel" said the painter.
"If there's grub and rum there, you
needn't mind clearing it out-we had
rather occupy it as it j." saidI Malerson,
with an impudent air.
"And all that you'll get from me will, be
bread and water until you are removed
to stronger pTison." said Mr.. Delorme,
bitterly.
81 don't believe the mistress will be so
hsrd-hearted!" muttered Malerson, in an
undertone. 'fIf she is, I'm mistaken, and
she'll make greater mistake than she
has for long time!"
The prisoners, with the exception Of
Ada, were now removed to building
which Mr.. Delorme assigned fer their
use, where guard was still kept over
them.
"You may IS well cOntne me, sir"
said Ada, to the Major: 81 withdraw nv
parole, and will no longer promise not to
attempt to escaped"
81 am under the opinion that you can
withdraw yourself, Miss Ada" said the
Major with q smile. 81 am not used to
warning with women, or making captives
of them, and with the concurrence OF
Master Paul and Mr.. Delorme have made
up my mind that your further company
can be dispensed with. And let me i'd
wise yOu.not to again associate with such
a set of rascally cutthrOats as those who
were just marched Of with the guard. A
greater set of villains never danced upon
nothing under the hangman's tree"
"They were not my associates, but my
tools, sir" said Ada, haughtiIy. "My
tools, with which l sought to revenge
myself upon Paul MslersOn for his perfdy
to me. I have succeeded, and am con-
tented so far.'
"Well, young lady, I have nothing to
do with your quarTels, and only offered
my advice because you have points of
character which | admire. You are
brave, persevering, and in spite OF your
apparel and this adventure, modest. You
would have made a brave man q good
wife once"
The naughty look passed away, and the
tone of Ada, when she replied, was
humble and tremulous. She felt that the
Major was sincere in what he said, anG
his words touched the core of her better
nature.
81 believe-I know I should" she
said. sob, SIR" and she lowered her
voice as she spoke, ''hsd you known how
l loved Paul Malerson; how, listening TO
his vows, knew no sky in which ne was
not the star, no world of which he was
his desertiOn made me forget my sex, my
place, made me utterly desperate and
careless of all things but revenge. But
love, once awakened, can never utterly
die; the remembrance Of past joys can
not be crushed out of the heart!"
There were tears in Ada's eyes Waen
she ceased speaking.
81 pity you, from my soul l do" said
the noble-hearted Major.
He was too brave to be insensible TO
the sorrows of courageous mans most
invincibIe and surest conqueror, pretty
woman.
"You he'd better 90 in and take some
refreshments, and then consider yourself
freel" said the Major to Ada, who now
stood alone with him, for Mr.. Delorme
and Paul had entered the house.
"Sir, thank you, but can accept no
fGvors under that roof. And, bad as they
are, do not think that it is right for me
to desert the men who for me have got
themselves into trouble. 1 know what
your duty is too well to ask you to re-
lease them, and so feel for them that l
am willing to share their fate!"
The Major paused moment, thought
I'LL i